Breaking Up is Hard to Do

I was viewing my videotapes from the 1990 US Nationals and Worlds and again enjoyed watching Kristi Yamaguchi and Rudi Galindo's performances as US National champions. At that time, Yamaguchi was also competing in ladies' singles. She finished fourth in ladies' singles at Worlds and she and Galindo finished fifth in pairs, for the second year in a row. After Worlds, Yamaguchi decided to concentrate solely on singles, and she and Galindo dissolved their pairs partnership. While Yamaguchi's decision proved to be an excellent one for her, Rudi was left to flounder for several years as a singles skater. His victory at the 1996 US Nationals was all the more outstanding because it was so unexpected.

Does anyone remember Natasha Kuchiki and Todd Sand? Despite their age differences - 13 years or so - they were US champions and won the World bronze medal in 1991. Sand met Jenny Meno, who was then skating with Scott Wendland, at the 1992 Winter Olympics, sparks started to fly, and they both dropped their respective partners so they could skate together. Meno and Sand got married several years thereafter and have enjoyed a long, successful pro career. Wendland coached several promising figure skaters. Kuchiki continued to skate as a singles skater but never achieved greatness.

I am not criticizing any of the skaters for dissolving their partnerships. I'm sure the decisions were not made lightly. I do feel sorry, however, for the skater who was "dumped" from the partnership. It's not as though you can find a partner and instantly develop the chemistry and team work that took years to develop with your previous partner.

Absolutely! I just named two break-ups, but there are a number of them.
Rodnina and Ulanov's was very dramatic, to say the least, as Ulanov had fallen in love with Ludmilla Smirnova (sp?), the Soviet silver-medal winning pair team, and he broke up with Rodnina so he could skate with Smirnova. At the 1972 Worlds, Rodnina broke down in tears after they skated their long program, as that was their final skate together. She then auditioned a number of partners and chose Alexandr Zaitsev, with whom she won seven Worlds championships and the 1976 and 1980 Olympic gold medals. Not bad for being on the rebound.

As for Ina/Dungjen, this pair never seemed to really jell as a team. There was a constant aura of disharmony between them, or so I thought. I wasn't surprised when they broke up, to be honest.

How about Marina and Ilya?? I always felt bad for her that she had to switch countries in order to find a partner. I hsve to admit, it was always a pleasure when she and Gwendal beat L&A at big events (and on more than a few occasions )

Absolutely! I just named two break-ups, but there are a number of them.
Rodnina and Ulanov's was very dramatic, to say the least, as Ulanov had fallen in love with Ludmilla Smirnova (sp?), the Soviet silver-medal winning pair team, and he broke up with Rodnina so he could skate with Smirnova. At the 1972 Worlds, Rodnina broke down in tears after they skated their long program, as that was their final skate together. She then auditioned a number of partners and chose Alexandr Zaitsev, with whom she won seven Worlds championships and the 1976 and 1980 Olympic gold medals. Not bad for being on the rebound.
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OMG i would break down in tears, too. She was in love with the guy!

Here's something that isn't mentioned too much- Michkoutienok was in love with Dmitriev, and everyone but HER knew during the 1992 Olympics that he was getting married to the rhythmic gymnast